GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY – CORE SYLLABUS
PSYCHOLOGY 2301
Course Description This course gives the student a broad view of the field and
acquaints him/her with the fundamental laws of behavior that have
to do with daily conduct in various life situations.
Prerequisites:
DIRW/DIRR 0310 or READ 0310 and ENGL 0310
Textbook:
Title: Psychology in Everyday Life. Third Edition
Author: David G. Myers
Worth Publishers, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4641-9445-0
To get details about how you can order your book online from the
college store and have it delivered to you, visit the ACC College
Store's Web page
<http://www.alvincollege.edu/collegestore/default.htm>.
Instructor:
Jennifer Holmes, MA
Office Hours:
Before and/or after class
Office - G-____
E-mail: jholmes@alvincollege.edu
Course requirements and grades:
♦ Tests and or quizzes may be used to assess student progress. These will be
announced on the first day of class.
♦ Assignments: The instructor may require assignments that will be determined on the
first day of class.
♦ There is a mandatory writing assignment for this class. Directions for the completion
and submission of this assignment will be provided. The grade for this paper will
equal one test grade.
♦ The final grade will be determined by the average of all grades according to the
following guidelines:
A = 90+
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 59 or lower
♦ Attendance: Students are expected to attend class regularly and complete all
assignments, quizzes and exams on or before the scheduled due date.
♦ It is recommended that the student talk to the instructor before withdrawing. Current
course withdrawal information can be found in the online or printed version of the
ACC Schedule for this semester. Students who file withdrawal requests by the
published deadline and have not exceeded the withdrawal maximum will receive a
grade of W.
Assignment that will be required for all General Psychology course regardless of
the professor:
There will be one assignment that all students taking General Psychology must complete
while taking this course. It is a writing assignment that covers four core areas. These
areas are: critical thinking, communication (writing), empirical/quantitative data, and
social responsibility. This assignment will be handed out in your class and part of your
final grade. Your professor will determine how your course is set up in terms of what
else is required along with this particular assignment and how everything will be
averaged for your final grade.
Written Assignment: You are required to find 3-4 journal articles and/or books that
relates to a specific psychological disorder, in which you will summarize the information
in a 3pg. paper discussing and describing your selected topic. Your paper should include
the origin/ causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, etc. for your specific disorder. The
purpose of the written assignment is to show your understanding of the topics discussed
throughout the course, as well as being able to explain a specific point that may peak
your interest. Make sure to include a title page, and a reference page (which do not
count as part of your paper). Your paper must be typed, double-spaced, using Times
New Roman 12pt font, and in APA or MLA format. LATE PAPERS will only be
accepted two (2) days after the due date and will result in 15 points deducted! Late
papers will be accepted until Thursday, July 30.
Quizzes: Quizzes will be given at the discretion of the instructor throughout the
semester, and each quiz will include at least ten (10) questions. Quizzes cannot be
made up, therefore it is your responsibility to make proper arrangements to attend class
daily.
Exams: Five (5) exams will be given during the semester; however, the lowest exam
grade will be dropped...therefore, make-up exams will NOT be given. Exams 1-5 will
consist of 50 multiple-choice items (2pts each). Questions will be selected from the text,
but a few may come from the lecture, class activities and/or weekly assignments.
Learner Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to correctly answer
objective, short answer or essay questions dealing with the following topics:
♦ The definition of psychology, various research and employment
fields/specializations within psychology and the view of psychology as a valuable
social science.
♦ The scientific method, the types of research techniques utilized by psychologists
and the critical thinking skills required to assess the strengths and weaknesses of
each research technique.
♦ How the brain, nervous system and brain chemistry impact every aspect of our
daily lives.
♦ Development throughout the lifespan and the major physical, cognitive and
psychological changes in each major period of life.
♦ How the application of psychological concepts and theories (including, learning,
memory, motivation, perception, cognition, emotion and stress) can help people
pursue a better quality of life.
♦ The major social factors that influence human behavior and how social influences
interact with individual differences.
♦ The causes, symptoms and treatments associated with various psychological
disorders and an empathic understanding of these disorders.
Make-up Tests:
♦ Make-up exams and quizzes are not given.
ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND SUPPORT SERVICES:
Americans with Disabilities Act
ACC complies with ADA and 504 Federal guidelines by affording equal access to individuals who are
seeking an education. Students who have a disability and would like classroom accommodations must
register with the Office of Disability Services, A 136, (281)756-3533. Instructors are not able to
provide accommodations until the proper process has been followed.
Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) – Letting someone know
The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) at Alvin Community College is committed to improving
community safety. College faculty, staff, students and community members may communicate safety
concerns to the BIT team by email, bitcore@alvincollege.edu or through an electronic reporting
option located on the BIT page of the college website.
The ACC Learning Lab, http://www.alvincollege.edu/TutoringLearningLab.aspx, located
upstairs in building A, provides students with a variety of services including tutoring (math, writing,
and other disciplines); computers and printers; a testing facility; and tables/carrels for studying.
Learning Lab hours are M-TH 8:00am – 9:00pm and F 8:00am – 4:00pm. Testing hours are M-TH
10:00am – 7:30pm (Tests must be completed by 8:30pm) and F 10:00am – 12:00pm (Tests must be
completed by 1:00pm). *Closed on Fridays in the Summer. Call 281-756-3566 for more information.
The ACC Library website: http://www.alvincollege.edu/Library.aspx. The ACC Library is an
excellent source of assistance for writing the required research paper.
MyBlackboard - Support for MyBlackboard can be obtained by completing the ONLINE
SUPPORT FORM.
WEBACCESS, Passwords or ACC Computer Lab Information- -Help Desk Website or contact the
IT Dept. Help Desk at 281-756-3544.
CLASSROOM PROTOCOL It is the right of each student to participate in his or her learning, and it
is the responsibility of each student to not interfere with the learning of other students. It is the
expectation of the college that each student assumes the responsibility to follow college policies and
procedures governing campus and classroom/online classroom conduct. This information is published
in the ACC Student Handbook. http://www.alvincollege.edu/resources/pdfs/student_handbook.pdf
CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND HONESTY
Alvin Community College students are members of an institution dedicated to the pursuit of
knowledge through a formalized program of instruction and learning. At the heart of this endeavor,
lie the core values of academic integrity which include honesty, truth, and freedom from lies and
fraud. Because personal integrity is important in all aspects of life, students at Alvin Community
College are expected to conduct themselves with honesty and integrity both in and out of the
classroom. Incidents of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and students guilty of such conduct
are subject to severe disciplinary measures.
This syllabus may be adjusted or modified during the semester if necessary.
Tentative Schedule
Test will be added to this schedule on the first day of class.
Week
1
Dates
7/13
7/14
7/15
2
7/16
7/20
7/21
7/22
3
4
5
7/23
7/27
7/28
7/29
7/30
8/3
8/4
8/5
8/6
8/10
8/11
8/12
8/13
Chapter
1
2
2
5
5
6
6
7
7
9
3
3
4
11
10
13
14
8
8
12
12
Material to be Covered
Introduction to Course: Syllabus
Psychology’s Roots
Biology of Mind & Consciousness
Assignment
Sensation & Perception
Exam 1
Learning
Memory
Motivation & Emotion
Exam 2
Developing Through the Lifepsan
Papers are due
Gender & Sexuality
Personality
Exam 3
Stress, Health & Human
Flourishing
Psychological Disorders
Therapy
Exam 4
Thinking, Language & Intelligence
Social Psychology
Exam 5
Last day to
withdraw